Empress took a few long, deep breaths, letting more of her earlier rage out to dissipate into thin air with each one before she calmly walked over to Apprentice, crouched down, and asked, "I'm glad you are alright, Apprentice, but how did you get in here?"

"I was hiding in the alley like I told Sniper I would. Then I felt very light, and I was glowing. Before I knew it, I was here with Evelyn."

"It's true," Evelyn said. "I told my grandmother that there was no one here to play with, then Apprentice suddenly appeared."

"Grandmother? Who is your grandmother?" Empress asked.

"That would be me," Nora answered.

"You were the one who kidnapped Apprentice?" Empress asked.

"No, I did not kidnap her. Little kittens do not belong in dirty alleyways all by themselves. They belong in a warm and nurturing environment, hence why I brought her here. Plus, Evelyn needed a playmate," Nora said.

"You still took her!" Empress said as her agitation started to grow again. "Do you have any idea what we went through after you pulled that stunt? Every one of us loves her and considers her part of our family. And when one of our family members suddenly vanishes right before our eyes, we get a little bit ticked off."

Nora noticed the fire building behind Empress' eyes, then said, "You are one of us! How could I have not seen it earlier? I must really be getting old. Please, come inside and have some tea with the queen and her fiancé. I'm sure she will want to meet another magic user, especially one with so much power."

Empress heard Nora's words of kindness and welcome. However, she had still taken Apprentice, so Empress remained on edge. She looked down at Apprentice, who had resumed playing with Evelyn and Inferno, then back at Nora, who had a grandmotherly smile on her face. She said, "Alright, we will go with you and meet the queen." She turned to Sniper, then said, "Sniper, since you are the youngest, you get to stay and watch over Apprentice. If you get any inkling that something is wrong, get her out of here immediately. Understood?"

As much as Sniper wanted to be with the adults and hear Michael's grand scheme, the joyful look on Apprentice's face Sniper give in to the impulse to go over and play with Apprentice, just as they had done back at Callie's house. Without removing her gaze from Apprentice, she said, "It will be my pleasure to stay with my little sister." Sniper walked past Empress, fell to her knees in front of Apprentice, then tickled her as she asked, "Right, Apprentice?"

Apprentice rolled on the floor as Sniper tickled her, and through her laughter, she said, "Yes, Sniper!"

Evelyn crawled over to Sniper and Apprentice on her knees, then asked, "Can I play, too?"

Sniper removed her right paw from Apprentice's ribs, wiggled her fingers in the air, then quickly brought them down to Evelyn's ribs and tickled her as she said, "Certainly, Evelyn. I have two paws, and they are both very good at tickling!"

Evelyn started laughing right along with Apprentice as Sniper tickled them both.

Havoc watched as her mate went down on her knees to play with the two kittens. She leaned over to Sensei and said, "She is going to be a great mother to our future kitten."

Sensei put her sword away as she also looked down at the kittens laughing hysterically, and the huge smile on Sniper's face. She then said, "You are so lucky to have found her, Havoc. She has so much love to give to both you and your future kitten. I'm sort of jealous since I have no one like that in my life right now."

Havoc put a comforting arm around her, then said, "Don't worry, Sensei. You will find the right tom or she-cat that will make your heart flutter every time you see them soon enough. Remember, I spent years chasing after that dream of finding my own prince who would sweep me off of my feet. I never expected that my prince would turn out to be a princess. Now that I have found Sniper, the only thing I want to do is settle down and start a family with her."

Adonis and Pirouette were also watching Sniper play with the kittens. Pirouette leaned her head against Adonis' left shoulder, then said, "I only hope to be as good of a mother to our kittens as Sniper is going to be to hers."

Adonis wrapped his left arm around her waist, then said, "You have nothing to worry about, my love. I have a good feeling that you are going to be one of the greatest mothers this world has ever seen."

Pirouette turned her body around and wrapped her arms around Adonis' neck, pulled him forward, then she said, "I love you, my ever-loving, hunk of a husband," before giving him a searing kiss.

Nora cleared her throat, then said, "The queen and the tea are both waiting."

Pirouette pulled back from her kiss, turned her head to face Nora, then said, "I apologize. I just could not help myself."

"I have no issues with you kissing your husband," Nora said. "However, kissing him in such a manner in front of kittens is not proper."

Pirouette felt like she had been scolded by her mother. She let go of her husband and said, "I'm sorry for kissing you like that, Adonis. I should have had a little more restraint."

Adonis picked her up in his strong arms, then said, "Excuse us for a minute, I need to have a talk with my wife," before he walked towards the front of the store. He put her down once they were alone, put his paws on her shoulders, and asked, "Why did you apologize to me? You did nothing wrong, as far as I am concerned."

"I embarrassed both of us by kissing you like that in front of everyone," Pirouette said as she looked away from him.

Adonis removed his left paw from her shoulder, gently cupped her chin, and brought her head back up so their eyes could meet. He looked into the lenses of her mask, then said, "I want you to feel comfortable kissing me however and whenever you feel like it. Apprentice already knows how we feel about each other, and she is not embarrassed by how we show our love." Mark ripped his mask off and said, "Lisa, you are my wife, the love of my life, and the mother of my kitten. There is nothing you can do that will cause me any embarrassment." A smirk crossed his face and he said, "Well, there was that one time when you were on stage and your tights gave right when you did a split. That was embarrassing, yet funny, watching you trying your best to cover your exposed backside."

"You thought that was funny!?" Pirouette asked. "I was mortified! I never had that happen before, and I didn't want it to happen then! Especially that particular night. The audience was full of talent scouts looking to recruit dancers for their troupes."

"And how lucky I was that it happened, Lisa," Mark said. "If you had been recruited, we probably would have broken up, and I never would have known what it means to be totally in love with someone. I might have dated a few she-cats, and even bedded some of them. However, none of them compare to you. Ever since I saw you, something inside of me just knew that you and I were going to be together, forever." He leaned forward and kissed her.

Pirouette let herself go and kissed him back. She opened her mouth and tapped his lips with her tongue, asking for entrance, which he gave her.

They kissed passionately for a few minutes, letting their paws travel anywhere they wanted. Pirouette pulled back from their heated kiss, looked down to find out what was poking her in the stomach, then said, "When we are alone later, remind me to take care of that for you."

Mark leaned forward and nibbled on her ear, then asked, "Why wait? There is a hotel around the corner. We can head there and pick up where we left off."

Pirouette almost gave in to temptation, when she remembered why they were there in the first place. She kissed him one more time, then said, "Sorry, honey. As much as I want to feel you again, we have a job to finish." She let go of him and started walking back towards the rest of the before stopping, looking over her left shoulder, and saying, I don't think this will take very long. Then we can head back to our apartment. I bought something that I am sure you will love," To punctuate her statement, she winked at him before she continued heading back towards the adults with a sensual sway in her hips and tail.

Once again, Mark was stunned by his wife's seductive remarks and actions. "What have I created? " He asked himself. "She has turned into a crazed wildcat, and I am her prey. I only hope I can keep up with her voracious appetite." With that, Mark quickly re-donned his mask and went to join the rest of the adults.

As Adonis rejoined the rest of the group, Nora said, "Nice of you to join us, Adonis. Please take your seat at the table, right next to your wife."

Adonis sat down next to Pirouette, took her paw in his, and stroked her fingers with his.

Nora looked around the table and noticed Empress wanting to get closer to Callista. She concentrated on her guests and she saw them all without their masks. She then said, "If you wish to hug your grandmother so badly, Miss Briggs, then please feel free to do so."

Empress's head spun to face Nora, then she nervously asked, "You know who we are?"

"But of course," Nora said. "However, I honestly did not know until I felt the bond between you and the queen just now."

Empress took off her mask, then went to hug Callista. After they embraced for a minute, Empress turned her head to Nora and asked, "Is our secret safe with you and your family?"

Nora smiled, then answered, "Perfectly."

"Good," Callie responded. She turned to Michael and asked, "What is your plan?"

Michael put his cup down, grasped Helen's paw, then answered, "As you know, David is obsessed with Callista to the point he has been driven mad. On top of that, he craves power. David wants nothing more than to rule this city, and possibly the world. As I mentioned in my letter, there are quite a few of us who believe David needs to be removed. My plan is so simple, it might as well be flawless. I know that the queen is intending to meet with David quite soon. She would agree to be with him, but only as an advisor and would use her influence to turn those who sit in higher offices to her side, eventually leading to David being removed from power. However, that plan would have only worked if David thought he had a chance of being romantically involved with the queen."

Ulysses slammed his fists down on the table, then yelled, "I cannot allow David to even think he has a chance of being involved with her! I will not allow her to go through with this! Callista is going to be my wife, not David's love interest!"

"My plan is now slightly flawed, but I had no idea until now that you two are engaged," Michael said. "However, she still needs to be seen as a fixture in The Society in order for her to stage a coup. She must agree to at least be his consultant in order to lull David into a false sense of security, as well as gain the trust of those who agree with David's beliefs."

Ulysses reached out and took Callista's paw in his. He then said as he gripped it tight, "As much as I trust her to be able to handle whatever David can throw her way on her own, I hate knowing that I cannot be by her side to support her."

Michael took another sip of his tea, then said, "My wife and I will see to her protection at all times. Helen can watch her by day, and I will watch over her by night. We might not be as powerful as my mother, but we can still hold our own against David and his cohorts. The queen will be perfectly fine, and I swear on my life, David will not be able to lay a finger on her."

"And how do we fit into this plan of yours, Michael?" Caliber asked. "We are not going to sit idle while one of our friends is behind enemy lines."

"I expected as such," Michael responded. "The Society needs non-magical staff to handle things like cooking, cleaning, and driving. With the exceptions of Miss Briggs and Miss Feral, the rest of you will be able to slip inside The Society and perform such roles."

"Why are we going to be excluded from your plan Michael?" Callie asked.

"Your faces are too well known Mrs. Briggs," Michael responded. "If you two started working there, someone would recognize either one of you and raise an alarm. That is something we cannot afford."

"You have given me a lot to think about, Michael," Callista stated. "I need time to ponder this with my family before I give you an answer."

"Of course, my queen," Michael said. "But you have to make your decision at least two weeks prior to your meeting with David. I need time to set everything up within The Society."

Callista stood up, then said, "That will be fine. I will respond to your mother within that time frame." She then squeezed Ulysses paw as she turned to him, and asked, "Can we go home?"

"Yes, my dear," Ulysses responded.

Callista turned her focus back to Nora, and said, "Thank you for your hospitality, Nora."

"You are welcome, Your Majesty. Er, Callista," Nora said. "And don't forget to take your two family members over in the Kittens' Corner with you."

Havoc let a giggle leave her mouth, then she said, "How could we ever forget my fiancée or Apprentice?" She turned her ever so slightly so she could face Helen before she said, "I hope they had fun with your daughter."

"Knowing my daughter, she definitely had a good time with your friend and your fiancée. Otherwise, she would have been begging to sit in my lap or clinging to her grandmother's hand," Helen said.

Everyone got up from the table and walked over to the Kittens' Corner to find Evelyn, Apprentice, and Sniper sitting Indian-style on a round rug. Inferno was curled up in Apprentice's lap as Sniper read to all three younglings.

Havoc noticed how happy Sniper was as she simply read to the two kittens, and felt compelled to join them. Havoc went over to Sniper, sat down right behind her, and lifted Sniper into her lap before she encircled her arms around Sniper's waist.

Helen leaned over to her husband and asked, "Those two are engaged? I was expecting such a stunning she-cat to be engaged to a tom."

"I guess so, dear," Michael said.

Pirouette heard the couple and walked over to them. She then asked, "Do you have a problem with those two being engaged?"

"Not at all," Helen replied. "Love is love, as far as I am concerned. It defies all barriers and genders."

"That is good to hear," Pirouette said. "I would hate to find out that our allies are biased against same-sex relationships."

"Hardly. My sister is gay and in a very monogamous relationship. She could not be happier." Helen stated.

Michael put his arm around his wife, then said, "Evelyn loves her aunts almost as much as she loves us. When my wife and I have to work the same shift, they take care of her, and when we come to pick her up, Evelyn has a smile on her face that just melts your heart."

Evelyn heard her parents talking, turned her head towards them, and took off running. She quickly closed the distance between them and hugged their legs, then said, "Mommy, Daddy! I had so much fun with my new friends. And just look at Inferno! Isn't he the cutest dragon you have ever seen?"

"Dragon!" Helen exclaimed. "Dragons don't exist anymore, Evelyn."

"Yes they do, Mrs. Higgins," Apprentice said.

Helen lifted her head when she heard the flapping of wings nearby. She then noticed Inferno flying effortlessly just above her.

"Well, I'll be. Is he friendly?" Helen asked.

"Hold out your arm and find out, Mommy," Evelyn said.

Helen extended her left arm and waited.

Inferno looked down and saw a new perch to rest on. He slowly lowered himself and landed on Helen's arm. Inferno turned his body so he could look at Helen's face, cocked his head, and after a moment of uncertainty whether the female would accept him, he took a chance, walked up her arm, and nuzzled her neck.

Helen felt his warm scales rub against rub against her fur, making her feel warm and tingly inside. Helen craned her head around to gaze at the magnificent creature on her shoulder. She then asked, "Where did you find such a wonderful dragon? They haven't existed for over three hundred and fifty years."

"He came from an egg in Callista's store," Apprentice said.

Helen's head whipped around to face Callista. She then asked, "How did you come to possess a dragon's egg?"

"I'm not entirely sure, Helen," Callista replied. "One of the castle's staff found it outside the castle walls. The egg was brought to me, and I assumed it was a jeweled ornament by the way it was decorated. Boy, was I wrong. All it took was the innocence of a kitten to get him to hatch."

"If you ever need a dragon-sitter, I will definitely take him in," Helen said as she turned her head back to Inferno and gave him a kiss.

"Hey, you are only supposed to be kissing me, Helen," Michael said after she kissed Inferno.

Helen turned her head to face her husband, then said, "I kiss you more than you need, Michael. In fact, I have some news for you."

Michael came towards his wife, encircled his arms around her waist, then asked, "What is it, my love?"

"Remember when you said you wanted Evelyn to have a sibling? Well, you got your wish. I'm pregnant," Helen said.

Michael's eyes widened for a second before he moved his paws over where the baby should be, then concentrated. As he closed his eyes, a vision of their kitten came into focus. As the tiny fetus moved in Helen's womb, he noticed a second kitten hidden behind the first one. From his point of view, they both seemed very healthy. Michael opened his eyes and a small tear ran down his face.

"What's wrong, dear? Don't you want the kitten?" Helen nervously asked.

Michael's paws never left where their babies were maturing inside of his wife. He responded, "Of course I want our kittens, Helen."

"Kittens? As in more than one?" Helen asked as her paws grasped his.

"Yes, my dear," Michael said. "We are going to be parents to two kittens! I couldn't be happier!"

Nora was smiling from ear to ear when she heard Helen mention she was pregnant again. She didn't think she could be more excited, until Michael said they were having twins. She said, "I get to be a grandmother again! I so love holding a newborn kitten in my arms."

"I know you do, Mother," Michael said. "I guess our anniversary was a little more magical than I thought possible."

Helen caressed his cheek as she whispered into his ear, "Dear, you were glowing when your climax hit that night. Because of that, I had a very good feeling I would end up pregnant again."

"Wow, I had no idea I did that," Michael said.

"You did the same thing when Evelyn was conceived," Helen said.

"I'm going to be a big sister! I can't wait to meet them!" Evelyn said with a large smile on her face.

Michael bent down, picked up his daughter, and brought her to his face. He then said through a smile, "You are going to be a wonderful sister to your siblings, Evelyn. Do you want to get some ice cream on the way home?"

"Yes!" Evelyn said, and then asked, "Can my new friend come too?"

"I don't think so, Evelyn," Empress said after she put her mask back on. "Apprentice needs to come with us so she can explain why she didn't stay in the hangar like we asked her to."

"Oh, ok then," Evelyn said as she let go of her parents and went over to Apprentice. Evelyn gave Apprentice a hug, then said, "I hope to see you and Inferno again soon."

Apprentice hugged her back and said, "I hope so, too."

The two newfound friends let go of each other, then Evelyn went back to her father while Apprentice returned to Empress' side.

Callista gripped Ulysses' paw tighter, then said, "I can't wait to be a great-grandmother, Ulysses. I so want to hold a little baby in my arms again."

"So do I, Callista," Ulysses said. "I loved holding Felina in my arms when she was a little kitten, no matter how much of a terror she was." He turned his head to face Caliber, who was standing there with her arms crossed, her face scrunched up, and her tail moving very aggressively back and forth. Ulysses then chuckled, knowing he finally got a shot in at his niece that she could not retort.

Everyone said their so longs to to Nora and started to go their separate ways when Callista pulled Pirouette and Sensei aside and said, "I need to give both of you something."

"What is it, Callista?" Pirouette asked.

Callista pulled two envelopes out of her purse and handed them to Pirouette and Sensei. She then walked away.

Both Pirouette and Sensei opened their envelopes and withdrew the letters. They unfolded the letters and quickly read, 'The building owner wishes to meet with you to discuss the future relationship between Dojo Saito, as well as Pirouette's Dance Studio, and C.C. Enterprises. Signed, The Building Management.'

Both Sensei and Pirouette looked at each other and simultaneously asked, "What the heck?"

End of Chapter